Military Ret and Workman's comp

[lnewman27]

I just got done with my medical board, and they gave me 40% retirement, about 1000 a month at my pay grade. Anyhow, I really can't go to work yet as I need another back surgery, but I can't support the wife and kids (2&5) on that kind of money. Shouldn't I be eligible for workman's comp? I've got a month before all the paperwork is done to put me out, I want to make sure that it is done right. Anyone else been through this?

[red1030]

Hi Inewman27. I am a retired Navy Officer and I was retired with a 70% disability when I was diagnosed with MS about 11 years ago. I understand your concern. However, the military does not have a workman compensation system as you are referring to. If you need back surgery and that is why you recieved your retirement percentage then the VA will do the surgery at no cost. You have not even begun to understand the benefits that will be available to you once you are out of the service on a veteran's disability. While the money is not enough to support your family, after you have you back surgery you will be able to work and still recieve your retirement. Also, as soon as you are out of the service you must go to the VA and appy for VA benefits and get your percentage through the pensions and compensation board. The differences are you do not pay income taxes on your percentage from the VA. Also, there are a lot of other benefits then that you will have for yourself and your family. Let me know if you have any other questions... red

[lnewman27]

red1030 Wrote:Hi Inewman27. I am a retired Navy Officer and I was retired with a 70% disability when I was diagnosed with MS about 11 years ago. I understand your concern. However, the military does not have a workman compensation system as you are referring to. If you need back surgery and that is why you recieved your retirement percentage then the VA will do the surgery at no cost. You have not even begun to understand the benefits that will be available to you once you are out of the service on a veteran's disability. While the money is not enough to support your family, after you have you back surgery you will be able to work and still recieve your retirement. Also, as soon as you are out of the service you must go to the VA and appy for VA benefits and get your percentage through the pensions and compensation board. The differences are you do not pay income taxes on your percentage from the VA. Also, there are a lot of other benefits then that you will have for yourself and your family. Let me know if you have any other questions... red

Thanks, that answers that question, but my last surgery took 3 months for the surgeon to release me back to work, I don't know how we'll make it, I had to spend a large part of my savings to hire a lawyer for the PEB. They only wanted to give me $13000 for my 9 1/2 years and both of my back surgeries were due to firefighting duties while on active duty. Fought back and got 40%-the medical was the part I wanted as my 2 yr old is ill.

[1171]

Serving in the military is not consider "employment" for work comp insurance purposes so work comp benefits are not available to you.

[jayne]

please go to a military benifits office and see what is avaiable to you.....

[comp8301]

lnewman27 Wrote:I just got done with my medical board, and they gave me 40% retirement, about 1000 a month at my pay grade. Anyhow, I really can't go to work yet as I need another back surgery, but I can't support the wife and kids (2&5) on that kind of money. Shouldn't I be eligible for workman's comp? I've got a month before all the paperwork is done to put me out, I want to make sure that it is done right. Anyone else been through this?

The U S DEPT OF LABOR has assigned the processing of the Federal Workers Compensation Program to a company called Affiliated Computer Systems (ACS). You must call your examiner and ask that your file be re opened. The telephone number to ACS is 850-558-1818 and the follow the prompts.

Good Luck to you.

[Still in Limbo]

lnewman, I don't have any Answers for You, and You have found a Great Resource in Red, She is a Great Person with many Years of Military Knowledge!! I just wanted to Thank You for Serving Our Country, and I'm Sorry You Were Injured while doing So. It's Great People Like You that allow Us to Sleep at Night Safe, and Awake to the Freedom We Enjoy Daily!! Thank You Again!!

[1171]

while there is an outside chance someone with a similar situation may read this, i doubt the poster has patiently checked this site for the last 2 years waiting for an answer.